Why is understanding 'eternal grace' important for Christians?

Eternal grace is a vital concept in sovereign grace theology, as it indicates that God's grace was bestowed before the foundation of the world. Second Timothy 1:9 clarifies that we are called according to His purpose and grace given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. This reveals that our acceptance before God is rooted in His eternal decree. If grace were not eternal, it suggests that there was a time when we existed outside of Christ, leading to potential doubt regarding our salvation. The assurance that God's grace is eternal grounds believers firmly in the truth of their salvation and liberates them from the fear of works-based righteousness.